Rain makes a comeback

The weekend’s beautiful autumn-like days gave way to gray skies by Tuesday afternoon, foreshadowing a week of colder and wetter weather.

A storm was predicted to roll in last night leaving Ridge residents an 80 percent chance of waking up to rainy conditions today, according to the National Weather Service.

High temperatures for today are expected to be in the mid to low 40s while lows are expected to be at about the mid 30s. The sun will make an appearance again on Thursday, though temperatures are expected to stay chilly with a high of about 48 and a low of about 37. The sunny day bodes well for the Paradise United Methodist Church, which will begin setting up for its annual drive-through Nativity event.

Going into its 17th year, the Nativity features live people and animals and is a rain or shine event. This year Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus – not to mention the rest of the cast and crew of the Nativity – may have to don some rain-resistant garb, as there is a chance the weekend will be a wet one.

The crew will continue setting up throughout Friday, with the Nativity opening to the public on Saturday evening. A 30 percent chance of rain is predicted for Friday with high temperatures peaking at about 46 and low temperatures bottoming out at about 37. A slight chance of rain is expected during the day on Saturday, with high temperatures at about 48 degrees. Saturday evening is likely to be wetter, with low temperatures at about 37 degrees.

Though it may be raining Saturday night, the Nativity will continue as scheduled unless the weather is so severe that it is unsafe for the animals, the characters and the people visiting the church for the annual tradition. The last time the church cancelled the Nativity was in 2010.

Sunday is expected to be a bit warmer with highs at about 50 and lows about 38. There is still a chance of rain predicted for Sunday, however. Rain is also expected to continue through next week as well.